Mining machine



Nov. 8, 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 13, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 13, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 13, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 8, 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 13, 1924 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE. ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE.

Application filed March 13, 1824, Serial No. 699,056. Renewed September 30, 1926.

My invention relates to mining machines.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved minin'g machine having improved feeding mechanism. A third object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine having improved controlling mechanism and adapted either to cut a kerf continuing the bottom or a lrerf a substantial distance above the bottom. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine having improved feeding mechanism and improved controlling mechanism for said feeding mechanism. Yet another object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine having improved feed controlling mechanism and means whereby the same may be readily controlled from either side during cutting in either direction relative to a face. Other objects of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration two forms which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of amining machine constructed in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such a mining machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through mechanism employed for holding a guiding sprocket in its adjusted positions.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the rear end of the machine shown in Fig. 2, but from the opposite side.

Fig. 5 is a View in side elevation of this illustrative embodiment of my machine cutting with the bar a substantial distance above the bottom.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of a clutch operating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal. longitudinal section through the feeding mechanism employed in one illustrative form of my invention, the section being taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2, but with the machine facing in the opposite 0 direction.

Fig. 8 is a central vertical section on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 99 of Fig. 10.

F 10 is a vertical section with parts brolren away on line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a view corresponding, except in details later mentioned, to Fig. 7 through a different illustrative embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a controlling mechanism employed in the form of my in vention shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail vertical section on the line 1313 of Fig. 11.

In a preferred form of my invention, that shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, I have shown a mining machine of the so-called room and pillar type which comprises a frame generally designated 1. herein made up of a plurality of elements bolted together and pro viding oppositely disposed plane surfaces 2 and 3 either of which may support the machine during sliding movement of the latter over a mine bottom. Adjacent and parallel to the plane of the surface 2 is a forwardly projecting cutter bar 4; provided with a circulating cutter chain 5 which carries cutter bitsG of usual form, operative when the bar is presented to the coal to cut a kerf therein. By reason of the disposition of the bar 4;, it will be evident that when the machine frame is sliding with the surface 2 in contact with the bottom. a kcrf will be out which will serve to extend the bottom while if the machine is turned over and employed with the surface 3 sliding over the bottom during cutting. a kerf a. substantial distance above the bottom will he produced.

For the purpose of moving the machine during feeding etc. I make use of flexible feeding means 8 having during cutting across the face oppositely extending flexible portions 9 andlO and adapted to be variously reeved depending on the results desired. It will be understood that suitable guiding means are provided to cooperate with this flexible feeding means to properly position the same relative to the machine in order that the latter may be propelled in the desired way and it will be further observed that suitable feed operating members herein designated 11 and 12 are provided to cooperate with the flexible portions mentioned. It will, of course. be understood that depending upon the direction in which the machine is fed across a face, there will be a difference in the use of the feed operating members 11 pinion 32.

and 12 either of these members being adapted for use as a means for moving the machine across the face and either being adapted to operate as a take-up member. These members 11 and 12 will be referred to later in considerably more detail, but for he pres-- out it is sufficient to note that they are herein coaxial and that they are of such construction as to cooperate with the links of a chain, that being the form of flexible feeding means employed herein in the illustrative forms of my invention.

The machine frame includes a motor 15 of a usual reversible type and motor operated cutter chain driving mechanism and feed operating mechanism. It will be observed that the motor is provided with an armature shaft 16 which carries at its rear end a bevel pinion 17 journaled as at 18 in a bearing carried by a projecting portion 19 of the motor frame. This pinion 17 meshes with a gear 20 which is keyed as at 21 to a shaft 22 and is rotatable upon a vertical axis. The

shaft- 22 is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 23 and 2 1 and carries below the bevel gear 20 a spur pinion 25 which meshes with and is adapted to drive a large spur gear 26 which is rotatable upon a vertical. axis. The gear 26 is journaled as at 27 in a suitable manner upon the frame and is coaxial with a cutter chain driving sprocket 28 and with a shaft 30 which is keyed thereto as at 31 and which carries at its upper end a A split ring cooperates in maintaining the shaft 30 in fixed longitudinal relation to the gear 26. The cutter chain driving sprocket 28 is provided with an inwardly projecting; flange 35 having clutch teeth 36 thereon and is journaled on suitable bushings 37 and 38 upon members 39 and. 10. Of these members, the member 39 is held by a permanent clutch 41 to the gear 26 and is provided with clutch teeth 42 adapted to be connected to the teeth 36 by a movable clutch element 413 which will be later more fully described. The member 10 is journaled as indicated at 4-5 upon a removable bottom plate section 4.6 and is provided with teeth en gaging with corresponding teeth upon the portion 4:7 of the member 30, the toothed engagement being indicated at it will be noted that the men'iber 416 is held in position on the bottom by studs 19 mounted in a circular plate 50. Concentric with the shaft 30 is a vertically movable shaft- 51 having a reduced portion 52 surrounded by spaced washers and 54 between which washers members 55 and 56 having openings traversed by the reduced portion 52 are disposed. A nut 57 holds the parts 53, 5 1, 55, and 56 assembled on the shaft 51 and the members 55 and 56 cooperate to form a groove 56 which provides a bearing for a flange upon the interior of the clutch member 43. The shaft 51 at its upper end is cut away as nseeneo at 61 to prevent interference with adjacent mechanism and is traversed by an opening 62 with which a finger or lever mounted upon a shaft 64 cooperates. The shaft 6d has at its opposite ends slotted arms 65 and 66 keyed thereto and held by suitable threadcd nuts 67, and with these slotted arms there is adapted to cooperate suitable means for effecting oscillation of the shaft 6d, this means including a shaft 68 having an eccentrically disposed pin 69 adapted to fit in the slots of the arms and on rotation of the shaft 68 to cause rotation of the shaft 64-. The shaft 68 is journaled in a member 71 which is in the form of a dummy sprocket which may be used to exert a guiding function if desired. for the flexible feeding member. This sprocket is held to the frame by a ma chine screw 72 and provides recesses 78 to cooperate with a spring pressed plunger or locking pin Tel upon an operating handle 75. It will be evident that this mechanism including the parts 68 to 75 can be placed at either side of the machine frame a suitable opening 76 normally closed by a plate 77 being provided at the right hand side of the machine, and upon transfer of the controlling; members for the shaft 6 1 to the right hand side of the machine, the plate 77 will obviously be moved over to the left hand side of the latter. It will be apparent from the description so far that it is readily possible to control the operation of the cutter chain driving sprocket by manipulation of the handle 7 causing oscillation of the shaft 64: and so swinging movement of the lever 63 with the resultant raising and lowering of the shaft 51 and clutch element 43, raising of the last element serving, to connect the cutter chain driving sprocket 28 in driving relation through the element 39, permanent clutch 411, gear 26, pinion 25 shaft 22 bevel gear 20, and bevel pinion 17 to the armature shaft 16 of the motor Of course depending upon. the direction in which the motor is rotated there will be a difference in the direction of rotation of the cutter chain driv-- inn sprocket.

The feeding mechanism of this form of my invention may now taken up. It has been already noted that the feedino mocha nism includes a pair of feed operating me ibers 11 and 12 and that these are coaxial herein with each other. l t will now be noted that each of these members concentric with a hollow tfansversely ertending' shaft 80 which (.FitQlltlS cou'ipletelv from one side of the mach'ne to the othi r. this shaft member 80. however. being; not perinaneatly connected in any way to the members 11 and 12 for joint rotation. It will next be observed that at opposite sides of the. middle of the shaft 86 there are provided clutch elen'ients 81 and 82 keyed as at 83 and 84 to the shaft 80, concentric with. which elements there are arranged other clutch elements 85, 86 which carry worm wheels 87, 88 respectively. It is to be observed that to the members 81 and and 82 and 86 there are operatively connected in a usual manner sets of friction clutch elements generally designated 89 and adapted to effect connection be tween the elements 81 and 85 and S2 and 86 and so driving connection between the worm wheels 87 and 88 and the shaft 81). For the purpose of driving the worm wheels 87 and 88 I have provided a pair of worms and 91 which worms are journaled for rotation upon vertical axes best shown in Fig. 10, one of these worms, herein the worm 92, providing a faster speed of rotation for the shaft 80 in one direction while the worm 91 provides a slower speed of rotation for the shaft 80 in the opposite direction. It will be observed that the worm 91 is mounted upon a built up shaft 93 integral with who e upper portion a driving gear 91 is formed. It will be observed that the worm 92 is similarly supported and that it carries a gear 95, meshing with the gear 9%, upon the upper portion of its two part shaft 96. while the lower part of its two-part shaft carries a gear 97. The relative speeda of the worms can be varied by substituting different gear combinations for the gears 91. 95. The shafts 93 and 96 are provided with suitable ball bearings 98. Now noticing Fig. 7 it will be observed that the pinion 32 constantly meshes with and is adapted to contitnte a driving element for the gear 97 and that by reason of the coaction of the gears 91 and 95, both worms 91 and 92 are constantly rotated during operation of the motor 15 although as pointed out above they rotate in opposite directions, this being due to the fact that the gears 91 and necessarily rotate oppo sitely to each other. Extending through the hollow bore 100 of the shaft 86 is a clutch operating member 101 which is provided with an opening extending transversely therethrough as at 102 into which opening there project arms 103 and 101 of levers respectively designated 105 and 166, which levers are mounted on pivots 107 in a member 108 carried by the shaft 86 and which levers at their outer end; are adapted to cooperate with rings 109, 110 placed at the opposite sides of said levers and operated to force plungers 111 or 112 through suitable openings in the structures 86 and 85 with the result that the clutch disc? 89. 96 as ociated with either the elements 81 and 85 or 82 and 86 may be loaded. The member 1-01 is provided with threaded openings 115 and 116 in its opposite ends with which a manually adjustable screw 117 is adaoted to cooperate, this screw being provided with a haudle 118 mounted in and freely rotatable relative to a cap 119 threaded, as shown in Fig. 7 onto the end of the shaft 80, but by reason of the presence of a corresponding closure member 121 threaded onto the opposite end of the shaft 80, it will be evident that the handle 118 may be changed from end to end of the shaft 101 and so the driving of the shaft- 80 controlled from either side. It is desired, in passing, to point out the fact that suitable ball bearings 125 are provided for the purpose of jonrnaling the structures 85 and 86 relative to the shaft 86. Adjacent the outer ones of these ball bearings and lo the outside of them, there is provided means for clutching the ;prockets 11. 12 in driven relation to the shaft 86. It will be noted that the sprocket 11 has keyed thereto a clutch housing forming member 130, while a corresponding element 131 is keyed to the sprocket 12. lVithi-n these housing members there are arranged sets of clutch discs 132, 133, alternate ones of which sets of discs are connected to members 134,

135 keyed as at 136, 137 respectively to thev shaft 86. For the purpose of forcing the clutch elements 132 into engagement or fore-- ing the elements 133 into engagement so as to connect the n'1en'1ber.;= 130 and 13-1; or the members 131 and the elements 135, I have arranged surrounding the sleeve-like portions 138 and 139 of the members 136, 131, rings 1-1-6 and 141-1 having fingers 1-1-2 projecting through openings 1 13 in the elements 130, 13 so that upon appropriate movement of the corrcsponi'ling member, either of these clutches may be loaded. For the purpo e of moving the members and 1 11, I have provided mechanism shown in partin Fig. 6 and also in Fig. 7. It will be observed that the sleeve portions of the members 130 and 131 are provided with shoulder forming means 1 1-91 and 14-5 respectively, with which fulcrum like portions 1 16 on levers 147 and 148 may cooperate, there levers at one side of their fulcra being pivoted as at 14-9 to rings 1.56. 151 which serve to engage and move the members 140, 141 while the oppo site ends of these levers are pivoted as at 152, 153 to sleeves 15 155 which threadedly engage screw members 156, 157. These screws are each mounted upon hollow shafts, numbered 158 and 159 respectively, and carried by the sides of the frame and for the purpose of operating these members, there are provided a plurality of handles 160 and 161 of which the handle 166 is provided with a shaft 162 adapted to be clutched and pinned as at 163 to a rod 16-1 running through both the members 156 and 15'? and adapted in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 7 to be clutched by means of a removable clutch element 165 held by a machine screw 166 in the shaft 164 to the element 159. The hand wheel 161 is clutched in the position of the parts shown by clutch teeth 169 to a clutch portion 170 on the sleeve 158. It will be readily apparent that it is possible to interchange the handles 160 and 161 and related parts and the element 166, with the result that the element- 157 may be controlled by the handle 161 from the right hand side of the machine while the element 156 may be controlled. from the right hand side of the machine by the element 160. Suitable ball bearings 171. and 172 aid in the pro-per oni-nailing of he sprockets 12 and 11 and related parts.

It will now be noted that at either side of the front end of the machine frame there is provided a swivelled rotatable flexible feeding member guiding element, these being respectively designated 180 and 181 and each of these mounted upon an arm 182 which is journaled upon a pivot about which it may be swung FLO as to bring the sprocket .180 or 181 as the case may be always near the bottom of the machine irrespective of what the position of the latter may be. It will be observed that spring controlled locking means 18 i is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for the purpose of holding the element 182 in one position but on reversal of the parts as indicated in Fig. it will be obvious that the locking means 18 t may cooperate still, but then with an opening 186, in holding the parts in their n w position. The member 182 engages lc shoulders in either position. sulable chain stripper and guiding element is provided at 188 and one of these may be placed at either side of the machine as is desiraole for the purpose of stripping the c. ain from the sprocket 11 or 12 which happens to be the forward feed sprocket at that time. Noting Figs. 1 and 2 it will be observed that in cutting from right to left the flexible feeding member extends from a suitable jack or take-up member (not shown) adjacent the left hand rib back around the sprocket 180, rearwardly about the sprocket 11 from below, and then forwardly over the top of the sprocket and over the chain stripper 188 in the form of a loop and next around inside one of a pair of corner sprockets 189 rotatable on vertical axes at the rear of the frame,then around a control sprocket 190, then inside the other sprocket 189, then forward over the top of the sprocket 12. then backward from the lower side of the some around a sprocket 191, and oil to a suitable jack or takeup member at the left hand rib. It is to be observed that a sprocket 192 corresponding to the sprocket- 191 is provided at the left hand. side of the machine and that the rear of the frame is curved 193 to guide the slack intermediate portion of the flexible feeding member. it will be obvious that this rceve will be reversed it it is desired to cut from left to right and that the reeve will be changed to a corresponding form if it is desired to turn the machine so that it slides upon the surface n w o. 51

intense which is normally its top for cutting near the top of a thin seam of coal.

will be noticed that there is an o iening 1 through the rear end of the frame tlllOll jll which a driven element carried by a min ing machine truck may projectwhen the machine is in position upon the truck with the result that the truck may be driven from the gear 26.

In describing the mode 0 operation of this form of my invention shall depart from the usual custom of describing the mak ing: oi a complete cut in an entry as it seems that the mode of operation will be just as readily understood if presented in a different nner. It will be observed that in cutting from right to left across a face the cutter chain driving sprocket will be caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above. As a result, the pinion 32 w'll also rotate in a counterclockwise direction and this will cause driving the w tin 952 in a clockwise direction. The 92 is the fast feed worm and could accord ingly be used for cutting across a face only in extremely soft cutting. 'lhe worm 9:12 through its pinion will drive the gear." 9% in a counter-clockwise direction and so the worm 91 will be rotated in a counterclocl-;- wise direction. This counterclocki i.se I'O'iittion will result in rotation of the worm wheel 88 in a counterclockwise direct on viewed from the left in Fin. 7, and when the clutch elements 89 are pr ed into eugagement the shaft 80 will be caused to rotate in a corresponding" direction. It will then be possible by equally loading by a proper manipulation of the controlling elements 160, 161, the clutch elements 132, 133 to cause the sprocket 11 to draw in the advance flexible portion. and the sprocket 12 to pay out the receding flexible portion equal ates and the machine will. then go across the face at a tired angle. If it is deto allow the rear end of the machine to angle around forwardly, it will simply be necessary to reduce the friction of the clutch 133 so that the element 12 n'iay be free to rotate relative to the shaft- 80 and then the pull upon the rear end o't toe frame will. cause the flexible feeding member to pa out more rapidly than it is drama in at the opposite side. If it is desired to strz hten up the machine to the face again, this may fast speed will be practicable. It will be understood, of course, that reverse rotation of the sprocket 12 will take place with this change in the clutches which are operating for the worm 92 will rotate the shaft 80 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the latter is rotated by the worm 91.

It will be apparent that if desired and if the softness of the coal permits, sumping may be accomplished by employing the sprocket 12 and the fast drive using the usual tail or receding flexible portion for this purpose. If desired, when the coal is very soft, it will be possible to sump in by laying the machine flat against the face with the bar substantially in the corner and with the normal reeve for left to right cutting and by the use of the fast feed, cause the machine to assume a position parallel to the lb and in the corner, the sprocket 11 paying out while the sprocket 12 draws in. By changing the reeve relative to the sprocket 12 sumping may be accomplished at the slow speed also. The various other possible modes of use of this mechanism need not be described in detail as they will be obvious to any one who is skilled. in this art. It will suflice to say, however, that the machine is truly universal since by changingthe hand wheels 160, 161 the hand wheel 118 and the control mechanism including the parts (58 to 75 to the right hand side of the machine, the same may cut from right to left. Moreover, by turning the machine upside down and allowing it to slide upon what is normally its top, it will be found entirely feasible to use the machine as a top cutter.

In the second form of my invention shown for purposes of illustration, namely that shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, it is to be noted that many of the parts are the same. The cutter chain driving mechanism and control are exactly the same as in the preceding form of my invention. The drives for the worms 91 and 92 from the bevel gear 17 are also the same as in the first form. Here, however. the worms 91 and 92 drive a considerably different mechanism and this mechanism will be described in detail. The worm 91 meshes with aworm wheel 201 and the worm 92 with a wormwheel 202 which worm wheels are keyed respectively as indicated at 203 and 20st to sleeve-like members 205 and 206 respectively, which members are supported upon ball bearings generally designated 207 which ball bearings surround sleeves 209 and 210 journaled upon a shaft 80' which shaft extends transversely of the machine frame as was the case with the shaft 80. The sleeves 209 and 210 carry bevel gears 211 and 212 with which there cooperate two bevel gears 213 mounted on alined spindles 21 1 carried ona member 215 which is mounted on the shaft 80. As the section through this portion of F i 11 is taken on planes at right angles to each other but one pinion shows. This member 215 is slotted atright angles to the plane of the axes of the gears 213, and there is slidable therein a clutch provided with the clutch teeth 216, 217 at its opposite sides which are adapted to mesh with corresponding clutch teeth 218 and 219 on the sleeves 206 and 205 respectively. Owing to the nature of this section only half of this clutch shows in Fig. 11. It will accordingly be apparent that as the teeth 210, 217 are moved in opposite directions longitudinally of the shaft 80', the member 215 will be connected in driven relation with one or the other of the gears 201, 202 with the result that this mechanism will *ause bodily rotation of the pinions 213. The clutch teeth 216 and 217 are adapted to be shifted longitudinally by means of a cross member 220 extending through a slot 221 in the shaft 80 and cooperating with a recess in a rod 223 extending through the hollow shaft 80. This rod is adapted to be moved in opposite directions by a handle 221 which is threadedly connected with the rod and which may be placed in engagement with the latter through either end of the shaft 80. It is also to be observed that the sleeves 209, 210 constitute mountings for the sprockets 11 and 12 respectively, and that these sprockets are connected to these sleeves in non-rotative relation. It should further be noted that the sleeves 209, 210 respectively carry keyed thereto brake drum elements 225 and 226 with which brake bands 227 and 22S respectively cooperate, these brake bands being supported on stationary mountings 229 and 230. For the purpose of varying the tension of these brake bands there is employed to cooperate with the ends of the bands, mechanism of the following nature. Noticing Fig. 12 it will be observed that there is secured to the extremities of the band 227 a pair of pins 231 and 232, which pins serve as pivots for a pair of arms 233 and 234 which are held in spaced relation by bars 235 which are carried by a rod 2l7 later referred to and which are pivotally connected as at 236 and 237 to the arms 233 and 234: so as to provide fulcra for these arms. The arms 233 and 234: have oppositely inclined surfaces 238 and 239 with which rollers 240 and 2l1 cooperate and these rollers are adapted to be moved longitudinally by means of longitudinal movement of their carrying sleeve 243 under the action of a screw 244. It will be understood that there are a pair of these screws and nuts, corresponding very closely to the screws and nuts which effect the application of pressure to the elements 150 and 151, and that separate handles 245 and 246 serve to control the application of the (litterent brake bands, one set of screws, nuts,

levers, etc, cooperating with the band 228. "With regard to the operation of this particular mechanism, it will be observed that on movement toward the left of the member 24:3 at the left hand side of Fig. 12 the brake band will be tightened while when this member is moved in the opposite direction it will be loosened. The handle 2 15 controls the left hand screw E la. and the handle 246 controls the rod 24:7 which moves the right hand one of the screws.

The general mode of operation of this mechanism will be readily apparent from what has been said. Either the element 91 or the element 92 may be employed to drive the differential and with the use of one of these elements there will be fast rotation in one direction while with the use of the other there will be a slower rotation in the opposite direction. In view of the fact that both the sprockets 11 and 12 tend to rotate in the same direction and the further fact that the element 12teuds to rotate due to the pull of the tail rope or chain thereon, it will be apparent that it is necessary to rather heavily load the bralre band 228 during cutting from right to left so that the member 212 will not be turned any more rapidly than the member 211. By varying the tension of this men'iber it is of course possible to produce angling of the machine. The machine may of course be used to cut from left to right if desired by reversing the functions of the feed operating members 11 and 12 and the controls can be changed to the right hand side of the machine just as was described in the case of the first modification. As the guide sprocket arrangement, etc., is the same as in the first form described, the various other ways in which the mechanism may be used will be readily understood. In each form of my invention it will be observed that there are shown suitable spaces marked Controller and Resist ance in whichsuitable controllers and resistance devices (not shown) are disposed.

While I have in this application specifically described two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and mm bodied in various other to s without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

W hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. lln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flenible feeding portions, a plurality of alternatively operative worm gears of different pitch operatively connected withone another by intermeshing spur gears, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with :aeaasao said flexible portions and selectivelyeon nectible with said worm gears either singly or simultaneously.

2. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a plurality of alternatively operative worm gears of different pitch operatively connected with one another by inter-meshing spur gears, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible portions and selectively connectible with said worm gears, said feed operating members being arranged for rotation on axes lying in the same straight line and for separate or simultaneous drive by said, worm gears.

3. In a mining machine, feeding meehanism including flexible feeding means in cluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a plurality of alternatively operative worm gears of different pitch operatively connected with one another by in'termeshing spur gears, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible portions and selectively connectible with said worm gears, said feed operating members being arranged for rotation on axes lying in the same transversely extending straight line and being connectible separately or simultaneously with said worm gears.

4. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means ineluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a plurality of worm gears rotating on alined axes and selectively operative as feed driving members, and a plurality of feed operating members coop rating respectively with said feeding portions and selectively connectible with said worm gears either singly or simultaneously.

In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means in cluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions. a plurality of worm gears rotating on alined axes and selectively operative as feed driving members, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with said feeding portions and selectively connectible with said worm gears, said feed operating members rotating on axes lying in the same straight line and be ing independently rotatable by said worm gears.

6. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a plurality of worm gears rotating on alined axes and selectively operative as feed driving members, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with saidv feeding portions and selectively counectible with said worm gears, said feed operating members rotating on axes lying in the same transversely extending straight line and being independently rotatable by said worm gears.

7. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible feeding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operz tive as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, and a. plurality of clutches each controlling the connection of but one of said feed operating members to said cooperating gears.

S. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means in eluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible feeding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, a plurality of clutches each controlling the connection of a cooperating gear to said feed operating members, and operating means for said clutches including shaft reciproeable axially of said clutches.

9. In a mining machine, feeding mecha. nism including flexible feeding means in eludin a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible feeding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, and a plurality of clutches certain of which determine what feed operating members shall be driven and others of which determine which spiral gear shall constitute a driving element.

10. In a mining machine, feeding meeha nis u including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible feeding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively op rative driving members, coi'iperating ,1, Iral gears driven thereby, and a plurality of clutches certain of which determine what feed operating members shall be driven and others of which determine which spiral. gear shall constitute a driving element. all of said clutches being coaxially arranged.

ll. In a i'i'iining machine, feeding mechaism including flexible feeding means in eluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said flexible feeding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of difl'erent pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, and a plurality of clutches certain of which determine what feed operating members shall be driven and others of which determine which spiral gears shall constitute a driving element, all of said clutches being coaxially arranged and half of said clutches being at each side of the longitudinal central vertical plane of themining machine.

12. In a mining machine, feeding mecha nism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven by said first mentioned spiral gears, a shaft, :1 disc clutch for each cooperating gear controlling the connection of said gear to said shaft, common actuating means for said disc clutches including a member reeiproc'able within said shaft, and operative connections between said shaft and said feed operating members.

13. In a mining machine, feeding meehanism including flexible feeding means including a. plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, and driving mechanism for said, feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven by said first mentioned spiral gears, a shaft, a disc clutch for each cooperating gear eontro'lling the connection of said gear to said shaft, and operative connections between said shaft and said feed operating members including separate disc clutches between said shaft and each of said members.

lel. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism inchiding flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven by said first mentioned spiral gears, a shaft, :1 disc clutch for each cooperating gear controlling the connection of said gear to said shaft, and operative connections between said shaft and said feed operating members including separate disc clutches between said shaft and each of said members, both arranged outside of said first mentioned disc clutches.

15. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears ol' diffcrent pitch alternatively operatiyc as Cl11V- ing members, cooperating spiral gears driven by said first mentioned. spiral gears, a shaft, a disc clutch for each cooperating gear controlling the connection of said gear to said shaft, and operative connections hetvvecn said shaft and said feed operating members including separate disc clutches etvvecn said shaft and each of said members, both arranged outside of said first mentioned disc clutches, and all of said clutches being coaxial with said shaft.

16. in a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feedilg p or' tions, feed operating members cooperating With each of said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral. gears of d fferent pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral. gears driven by said first mentioned spiral gears, a shaft, a disc clutch for each cooperating gear controlling the connection of said gear to said shaft, and operative connections between said shaft and said feed operating members including separate disc clutches betvreen said shaft and each of said members, both arranged outside of said first mentioned (rise clutches, all of said clutches and said feed operating members being coaxial with said shaft.

1'7. In a mining machine. ceding mechanism including flexible feeding means ineluding a nlurality of flexiltile feeding portions, feeu operating members cooperating with each of said portions and driving mechanism for each of said feed operating members including; plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively controlling the functioning of said cooperating gears as feed driving members. and a single controlling mechanism controlling both of said clutches and having operating mechanism adapted for actuation from either side of the machine and including a i ember concentric with said clutches.

18. In a mining machine. feeding mechanism including flexible feedingmeans including a plurality of flexible feeding portions. feed operating members cooperating vvith each of said portions and driving mechanism for each of said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively conincense trolling the functioning of said cooperating gears as feed driving members, and a single controlling mechanism controlling both of said clutches and. arranged intermediate the same, said controlling mechanism being provided with operating means coaxial with said clutches and including a shaft slidable concentrically With said clutches.

19. In a mining machine, feeding mecha nism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions and driving mechanism for each of said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively controlling the functioning of said cooperating gears as feed driving members, and a single controlling mechanism controlling both of said clutches and arranged intermediate the same and operated by means concentric with said clutches.

20. in a mining machine, feeding mecha nism including flexible feeding means inchi-ding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with e h of said portions and driving mechanism for each of said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of diliercnt pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral. gears drive thereby, clutches respectively controlli the functioning of said cooperating gears as feeo driving members, and a single controlling mechanism controlling both of said clutches and arranged intermediate the same and operable by means coaxial with said clutches from either side of said clutches.

21. in a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible means including a plnrality'of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively controlling the driving of said feed operating members by said cooperating spiral gears, and separate controlling members for said clutches.

22. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating nien'ibers cooperating with each of said portions and (:lrivingmechanism for said feed operating members includinga plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving mcn'ibers, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respcctively controlling the driving of said feed operating members by said cooperating spiral gears, and coaxially arranged separate controlling members for said clutches.

23. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible means including a plurality of flexible fccdii'ig portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions and driving mechanism for said feed opeating members including a plurality of spiral gears of ditl'erent pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively controlling the driving of said feed operating members by said cooperating spiral gears, and coaxially arranged separate controlling members for said clutches each operable from each side of the machine.

24. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with each of said portions and driving mechanism for said feed operating members including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch alternatively operative as driving members, cooperating spiral gears driven thereby, clutches respectively controlling the driving of said feed operating members by said co operating spiral gears, and coaxially arranged separate controlling members for said clutches each operable from each side of the machine, the controlling means for one of said clutches extending through the controlling means for the other thereof.

25. In a mining machine, feeding mech anism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, driving mechanism therefor including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch connected to each other operatively by intermcshing spur gears and rotating on vertical axes, a shaft, cooperating spiral gears on said shaft, and clutches controlling the connection of said cooperating gears to said shaftand thereby determining which of said spiral gears shall constitute the feed driving member.

26. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding porions, feed operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, driving mechanism therefor including a plurality of spiral gears of different pit-ch connected to each other respectively by intermeshing spur gears and rotating on vertical, axes, a shaft, coaxial with said feed operating members, cooperating spiral gears on said shaft, and clutches controlling the connection of said cooperating gears to said shaft and therein determining which of said spiral gears shall constitute the feed driving member.

27. In a mining machine, feeding much anism including flexible fecding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, fee-ll operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, driving mechanism therefor including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch connected to each other respectively by intermeshing spur gears and rotating on vertical axes, a shaft. coaxial with said feed operating members, cooperating spiral gears on said shaft, clutches controlling the connection of said cooperating gears to said shaft and thereby determining which of said spiral gears shall constitute the feed driving member, and clutches controlling the connection of said feed operating members to said shaft.

28. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, driving mechanism therefor including a plurality of spiral gears of different pitch connected to each other respectively by intermeshing spur gears and rotating on vertical axes, a shaft coaxial with said feed operating members, cooperating spiral gears on said shaft, clutches controlling the connection of said cooperating gears to said shaft and thereby determining which of said spiral gears shall constitute the ,feed driving member, and clutches controlling the connection of said feed operating members to said shaft, and means for ope 'ating said clutches including controlling means for certain of said clutches coaxial with said shaft.

29. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism, a motor, and means for controlling the driving of said feeding mechanism and for effecting clutching of said cutting mechanism to the motor respectively each having controlling elements transferable from one side of said machine to the other side thereof.

30. In a mining machine, feeding mechan sm including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on a transverse axis, cutting mechanism including a circulating cutter chain. a motor, and driving means for said feed operating members and said cutter chain each including manually controlled clutches operative from one side of the machine, the means for operating the same being transferable to the opposite side thereof.

31. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on a transverse axis, cutting mechanism including a circulating cutter cha n. a motor, and driving means for said feed operating members and said cutter chain, each including manually controlled clutch mechanisms having operating elements opcrativc from one side of the machine and Lil - members, and means for controlling the rotation thereof and the direction of rotation thereof including; a plurality of clutches, controlling means for said clutch-es arranged on parallel axes at one side of said machine, and operative connections between said controlling means and said clutches permitting the shifting of said controlling means to the opposite side of the machine.

33. In a mining machine, a motor teed operating mechanism driven bysaid motor and including a plurality of teed operating mem bers rotatable on a transverse axis, and means for controlling the rotation thereof and the direction of rotation thereof includinga. plurality of clutches, controlling means for said clutches arranged on parallel axes at one side of said machine, one of which axes is coincident with the axis of rotation of saidteed operating members, and operative connections between said controlling means and said clutches pern'iitting the shifting of said controlling means to the opposite side of the machine.

34;. In a mining machine, a motor, a cutter chain, driving connections between said motor and cutter chain including a clutch, feed ing means including a flexible feeding member, means for moving the machine relative to said member, guiding means 'tor said member, and controlling means for said clutch having means for maintaining it in its different positions cooperating with a portion of the guiding means for said flexible member.

35. The combination with a mining machine hai'ingr cutting; mechanism slidable on a l'HiDQ bottom and tlaxible feeding means theretor for tz ieding the same laterally along a mine face during; cutting including; advance and recccing flexible portions, of actuating: means tor said feeding); moans includinr' :t'ced operating elements cooperating with. said portions rospcctivel -i, and a plurality of sets of worm gearing selectively ope ative as driving mechanism and each adapted to pro-- duce a dil'lercnt t@(}(l,l11 51 speed and a separate trictional clutch controlling; each set or worm gearing.

no. he comrnaaoo 1.1 1.1mm, ma

chine slidable on a mine bottom and flGKlhlG feeding means therefor operative to feed the same transve sely of a mine face during cutting and includ 1e" acvance and receding portions. of actuating; means "for said feeding" means including" teed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, a pluralit v of shafts. an additional shaft, a pinrality of sets of worm gearing each adaptedv raeseso to produce a difl'erent speed and each includ ing a member on one of said first mentioned shafts, and a member on said additional shaft, and clutches for connecting said last named members respectircl to raid last named shaft.

37. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means therefor operative to feed the same transversely of a mine face during cut-- ting and including advance and receding portions, of actuating means tor said feeding means including feed operating members cooperating' with each of said portions, a plurality of shafts, an additional shaft, a plurality of sets of worm grearing each adapted to produce a di'li erent teeding speed and each including a member on one of said first named shafts and a member on said additional shaft, and acljrstably rotatable trio tion clutches for connecting said last named. membc respectively to said last named shaft.

38. The crunl'iination with a mining; machine slidable on a. mine bottom and flexible Feeding means the-rotor operative to feed the same transversely oi a mine face during cutting; and including advance and receding;- portions, of actuating means for said teedinp; means including teed operating members cooperating with each of said portions, a plurality of sha ts, an additional shaft, said last mentioned shaft being coat-rial with said feed operating members, a plurality of sets of worm gearing each adapted to produce :1 (hi? lferent feeding speed and each including a member on one of said first named shatts and a member on said additional shaft, and clutches for connecting; said last named meinlXi'S respectively to said last named shaft.

39, The co'i'nbination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means tl'iereil or operative to feed the same transvcrselvot a mine taco during; cutting and including; advance and receding; portions, of actuating means tor said feed ing means including; teed o wratiiur members coopcrating with each ot said portions, a plurality of shatts, an ac litional shaft. said last mentioned shaft. being; coa. l with said teed operating); 1l'1Q1'lllJOIS,l1 plurzuil r of sets of worm gearing each :E' aDlt'tl to produce a. dillerent. feeding speed. and each ineluding a member on one of said first. named shafts and a memlur on said additional snaitt. and ad ustal'ile rotatable triotion clutcl'ies tor coi'incct nn said last named members lQSQGCtlVGiY to said last named sha ft.

40. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and lltf'illllf) feeding: means therefor oocrative to iced the .a ne transversely of a mine taco (bu-inn" cutting: and including: advance and receding: flexible feeding portions and teed operating:-

llO

members cooperating respectively with said portions, of actuating mechanism fo said feeding means including a plurality of pairs of driving elements each adapted to produce a different feeding speed. a shaft on which one of the elements of each of said pairs is mounted, and dill'erent friction disc clutches for connecting one of said last mentioned elements to said shaft, the other elements of said pairs rotating on parallel axes making an angle with a line parallel to said shaft.

ll. The combination with a mining machine elidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means therefor operative t feed the same trai'isversely of a mine face during cut ting and including advance and receding flexible feeding portions and feed operating members cooperatin respectively with said portions, of actuating met-lmnism for said feeding means including a plurality of pairs of drivingelements each adapted to produce a different feeding speed, a shaft on which one of the elements of C-ftt'l. of said pairs is mounted, said shaft being. coaxial with said feed operating members, and different friction disc clutches fo connecting one of said last named elements to said shaft, the other elements of said pairs rotating on parallel axes making an angle with a line parallel to said shaft.

l2. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means operative to feed the machine transversely of the mine face during cutting and including advance and receding portions, of actuating mechanism for said feeding means including feed operating members respectively cooperating with said advance and receding portions, a plurality of shafts, an additional shaft, a plurality of sets of worm gearing each adapted to produce a different feeding speed and each including a member on each of said first named shafts and a member on said additional shaft, and different friction disc clutches for connecting said last named members to said last named shaft.

4.3. The comliiination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible elements of each of said pairs is mounted,

different friction disc clutches for connecting said last named elements respectively to said shaft, the other elements of said pairs rotating on parallel axes, and a controller in said shaft and oppositely movable to control said clutches respectively.

4ft. The combination with a mining machine slidal'ile on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means operative to feed the machine transversely of a mine face during cutting and including advance and receding flexible portions, of actuating mechanism for Paid feeding means including feed operating members respectively cooperating with Said advance and receding portions and driving means for said feed operating means including two pairs of driving elements adapted respectively to produce a fast and a slow feeding speed, a shaft on which one of the elements of each ofsaid pairs is mounted, ditli'crent friction disc clutches for connects ing said last named elements respectively to said shaft. the other elements of said pairs rotating on parallel axes, and con trolling mechanism including a member surrounding said shaft between said clutches. levers pivoted thereon and movable to engage said clutches. and means for swinging said levers.

as. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means operative to feed the machine trair vea'sci of a mine face during cutting and including advance and receding flexible portions, of actuating mechanism for said feeding means including feed operating members re.-tpectively cooperating with said advance and receding portions and driving means for said feed operating members including two pairs of driving elements adapted respectively to produce a fast and a slow feeding speed, a shaft on which one of the elements of each of said pairs ismonnted, different friction disc clutches for connecting said last named elements respectively to said shaft, the other elements of said pairs rotating on parallel axes, and controlling mechanism including a member surrounding said shaft between said clutches, levers pivoted thereon and movable to engage said clutches, and means concentric with said shaft for swinging said levers.

-.l-(i. The combination with a mining machine slidable on a mine bottom and flexible feeding means operative to feed the machine transvorsely of a mine face during cutting and including advance and receding flexible portions, of actuating mechanism for said feeding means including feed operating members respectively cooperating with said advance and receding portions and driving means for said feed operating members including two pairs of driving elements adapted respectively to produce a fast and a slow feeding speed, a shaft on which one of the elements of each of said pairs is mounted, different friction disc clutches for connecting said last named elements respectively to said shaft, the other elements of said pairs rosaid a frame including a longitudinally disposed motor and slidable over a mine bottom dur ing cutting, cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting from one end of said frame, dri ing connections between said chain and motor, and feeding mechanism for moving said machine bodily towards working face during sumping and thereafter bodily transversely of a face duringeutting including flexible feeding means providing during transverse cutting advance and receding portions ex; tending respectively from points adjacent the front and the rear of suit stream, and meansfor winding in said advance portion and paying out said receding portion including winding means cconera respectively with said advance and receding portions and driving mechanism therefor driven by said motor and including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears, said Worm gears being alternatively operative as driving elements, and cooperating ele' ments driven by said worm "gears and rot able on horizontal ftTiQSGKlZG 'rarsvers relative to said motor and in front of said intermeshing spur gears.

48. In a room and pillar mining machine, a frame including a longitudinally dispose; motor and slidable over a mine bottom during cutting, cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying cutter bar projecting from one end of said frame, driving connections between said chain and motor, and feeding mechanism for moving said machine bodily towards and from a working face and bodily transversely thereof during cutting including flexible feeding means comprising a plurality of flexible portions having free extremities adapted for connection to fixed points and means for winding in either of said portions at a cutting speed or at a high-- er speed including relatively rotatable feed operating members cooperating respectively directly with said flexible portions, and driving n'iechanism therefor driven by said motor and including a plurality of worms of difierent, pitch operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears of di li'crent sizes, said worms being rota o on vertical axes and alternatively opcratih, as driving elements, and cooperating worin wheels driven by said worms and rotatable on a horizontal axis extending transversely relative to said motor and in front of said vertical axes.

49. In a room and pillar mining machine a member surrounding having cutting mechanism and slidable on a mine bottom, mechanism for feeding the same laterally along the mine face during cutting including flexible feeding means having during inch transverse feeding advance and receding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said ad vance and receding portions, and driving DlGCliflDlSlll for said feed operating members operative to cause the same to wind in either of said portions at a plurality of speeds including a reversible motor, a plurality of worms of different pitch alternatively operative as driving elements, cooperating gears driven thereby and coaxial with respect to each other, a hollow shaft extending axially through said cooperating gears, a plurality of clutches comprising elements rotating with said cooperating gears and elements ccnnectible therewith, and a clutch operating element movable in said hollow shaft.

50. ln :1 room and pillar mining machine having cutting mechanism and slidable on a mine bottom, mechanism for feeding the same laterally along the mine face during cutting including flexible feeding means having during such transverse feeding advance and receding portions, feed operating meal ers cooperating respectively with said advance and receding portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating me1nbers operative to cause the same to Wind in either of said positions at a plurality of speeds including a reversible motor, a plurality of worms of different pitch alternatively operative as driving elements, cooperating gears driven thereby and coaxial with respect to each other, a hollow shaft extending axially through said cooperating gears, a plurality of clutches comprising elements rotating with said cooperating gears and elements connectible therewith, and a clutch operating element movable in said hollow shaft, said worm gears being operatively connected with one another by inter meshing spur gears.

51. lo a room and pillar mining machine having cutting mechanism and slidable on a mine bottom, mechanism for feeding the same laterally along the mine face during cutting including flexible feeding means having during such transverse feeding advance and receding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said advance and receding portions, and driving mechanism for said. feed operating mem bers operative to cause the same to wind in either of said portions at a plurality of soecds including a reversible motor, a plurality of worms of different pitch alternatively operative as driving elements, coopcrating gears driven thereby and coaxial with respect to each other, a hollow shaft extending axially through said cooperating gears, a plurality of clutches comprising ele ments rotating with said cooperating gears and elements connectible therewith, and a clutch operating element movable in said hollow shaft, said worm gears being operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears and one of said gears being driven from said motor by a gear disposed at the opposite end of said worm from said first mentioned spur gears.

52. in a room and pillar mining machine comprisinga frame including a motor and slidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutter chain carrying bar, a cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections therefor including a bevel gear driven by the motor, a spur gear rotatable with the bevel gear, and a cooperating spur gear coaxial with the sprocket, and feeding mechanism for feeding said machine trans versely during cutting including flexible feeding means including oppositely extending flexible portions, feed operating members respectively coacting with said portions and driving mechanism for the latter including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected to one another by intermeshing spur gears and alternatively operative as driving elements.

In a room and pillar mining machine comprising a frame including a motor and slidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections therefor inincluding a bevel gear driven by the motor, a spur gear rotatable with the bevel gear and a cooperating spur gear coaxial with the sprocket, and feeding mechanism for feeding said machine transversely during cutting including flexible feeding means including oppositely extending flexible portions, cooperating feed operating members respectively coacting with said portions, and driving mechanism for the latter including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected to one another by interineshing spur gears and alternatively operative as driving elements, said spur gears rotating on vertical axes to the rear of a transverse vertical plane including the axis of rotation of said cutter chain driving sprocket.

54. In a room and pillar mining machine comprising a frame including a motor and siidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechani-in including a cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections thereforincluding a bevel gear driven by the motor, a spur gear rotatable with the bevel gear and a cooperating spur gear coaxial with the sprocket. and feeding mechanism for feed ing said machine transversely during cutting including flexible feeding means including oppositely extending flexible portions, cooperating feed operating members respectively coacting with said portions, and driving mechanism for the latter including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected to one another by intermeshing spur gears and alternatively operatire as driving elements, said spur gears rotating on vertical axes to the rear of a transverse vertical plane including the axis of rotation of said cutter chain driving sprocket and said feed operating members rotating on axes lying in a transverse plane forward of the axis of rotation of said cutter chain driving sprocket.

55. In a room and pillar mining machine comprising a frame including a motor and slidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutterchain driving sprocket, driving connections therefor ineluding a bevel gear driven by said motor, a spur gear rotatable with said bevel gear and cooperating spur gear coaxial with said sprocket, and feeding mechanism for feeding said machine transversely during cutting including fiexible feeding means comprising oppositely extending flexible portions, leed operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members rotatable by one of the elements of said sprocket and including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears and alternatively operative as driving elements, a plurality of mutually coaxial worm wheels driven by said worms, and friction clutch means selectively operable to cause one or the other of said worm wheels to constitute the driving element.

56. In a room and pillar mining machine comprising a frame including a motor and slidable on a mine bottom, cutting mechanism including a cutter chain' driving sprocket. driving connections therefor including a bevel gear driven by said motor, a spur gear rotatable with said bevel gear and a cooperating spur gear coaxial with said sprocket, and feeding mechanism for feeding said machine transversely during cutting including flexible feeding means comprising oppositely extending flexible portions. feed operating members respectively cooperating with said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed operating members rotatable by one of the elements of said sprocket and including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears and alternatively operative as driving elements. a plurality of mutually coaxial worm wheels driven by said worms, friction clutch means selectively operable to cause one or the other of said worm wheels to constitute the driving element, and coaxial friction clutch means selectively optil) erable to cause one or the other of said feed operating members to be driven by the then driving worm wheel.

5?. in a room and pillar mining machine con'iprising a frame including a cutter chain. driving sprocket, driving connections there for including a bevel gear driven by said motor, a spur gear rotatable with said bevel gear and a cooperating spur gear coaxial With said sprocket, and feeding mechanism for feeding said machine transversely during cutting including flexible feeding means comprising oppositely extending flexible portions, feed operating means respectively cooperating with said portions, and driving mechanism for said feed opera-ting members rotatable by one of the elements of said sprocket and including a plurality of worms of different pitch operatively connected with one another by intermeshing spur gears and alternatively operative as driving elements, a plurality of mutuallycoaxial worm wheels driven by said worms, friction clutch means selectively operable to cause one or the other of said worm Wheels to constitute the driving element, and friction clutch means 00-, axial with said first mentioned friction clutch means selectively operable to cause one or the other of said feed operating members to be driven by the then driving worm Wheel.

58. In a mining machine, the combination with feeding means, of actuating mechanism therefor inc uding a shaft, a pair of worm gears on said shaft, a second pair of worm gears cooperating with said first named worm gears respectively, said last named Worm gears bein of a different pitch and being operatively connected with each other by intermeshing spur gears, means for alternatively clutching the first named worm gears to said shaft, and a plurality of clutches arranged respectively at opposite sides of said last mentioned means and coaxial with said shaft for clutching said feed,

ingmeans in driving relation with said. secondmentioned worm gears.

A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising cutting mechanism ineluding a projecting cutter bar and flexible feeding portions adapted to act on the opposite ends of the machine frame and having free extremities adapted for connection to fixed points, a reversible motor opera tively connected'to said cutting mechanism, and means driven by said motor and includ ing elements selectively connectible thereto for effecting on reversal of said motor the drawing in of said portions at equal predetermined cutting-speeds and also at pre determined higher speeds, said means including a shaft rotatable on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine at the opposite end of the motor from the cutter bar, members coaxial with said shaft eaaeso and cooperating directly with said portions, and worm driving means for said members including worm wheels coaxial therewith;

60. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising cutting mechanism in cluding a projecting cutter bar and flexible feeding mechanism including a plurality of flexible feeding portions adapted to act on the opposite ends of the machine frame and having free extremities adapted for connection to fixed points, a reversible motor operatively connected to said cutting mechanism, and means driven by said motor and including elements selectively connectible thereto for drawing in either portion dependent upon the direction of rotation of said motor at a predetern'iined cutting speed and at equal higher speeds, said means including a member rotatable on a hoizontal axis e3;- tending transversely of the machine at the opposite end of the motor from the cutter bar, feed operating members cooperating directly with said flexible feeding portions carried by said member, and Worm driving means for said member including a plurality of worm wheels coaxial therewith.

(51. in a mining machine, cutting mechanism and feeding mechanism including flexible 'lccding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating with said portions rotating on horizontal transverse axes to the rear of said motor, and worm driving means therefor including worms rotating on vertical ar'zes disposed to the rear of said trainsrerse axes.

62. In a mining machine, cutting mecha nism including a projecting cutter bar and a cutter chain circulating about the periphery thereof, a cutter chain driving sprocket, a motor forward of said cutter chain driving sprocket,driving connections between said motor and said cutter chain driving sprocket including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket and connectible in driving relation therewith and feeding means including a plurality of feed operat ing members rotatable on transverse axes, and driving means therefor including worm driving gearing including a plurality of Worms rotatable on vertical axes, driving connections betweensaid worms, and driving means for one of said worms including a gear-coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket.

63. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar and a cutter chain circulating about the periphery thereof, a cutter chain driving sprocket, a motor forvmrd of said cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections between said motor and said cutter chain driving sprocket including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket and connectible in driving relation therewith, and feeding ion means including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on transverse axes and driving means therefor including worm driving gearing including a; plurality of worms rotatable on vertical axes, driving connections between said worms, and driving means for one of said worms including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket, said worms rotating on axes which pass through said iirst mentioned gear.

64. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar and a cutter chain circulating about the periphery thereof, a cutter chain driving sprocket, a motor forward of said cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections between said motor and said cutter chain driving sprocket including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket and connectvible in driving relation therewith, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on transverse axes and driving means therefor including worm driving gearing including a plurality of worms rotatable on vertical axes, driving connections between said worms, and driving means for one of said worms including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket, said driving connection to said la t mentioned worm lying below the top of said first mentioned gear.

(35.In a mining machine, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar and a cutter chain circulating about the periph ry thereof, a cutter chain driving sprocket, a motor forward of said cutter chain driving sprocket, driving connections between said motor and said cutter chain driving sprocket including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket and connectible in driving relation therewith, and ,teeding means including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on transverse axes and driving means therefor including worm driving gearing including a plurality of worms rotatable on vertical axes. driving connections between said worms, and driving means for one of said worms including a gear coaxial with said cutter chain driving sprocket, th'e driving connection to said last mentioned worm lying below the top of said first mentioned gear and the axes of said worm passing through said lirst mentioned gear.

66. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism and feeding mechanism including tlexible feeding means providing a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said portions, a shaft, a plurality of driven elements on said shaft, a plurality of driving elements adapted to constantly drive said driven elements, clutch mechanism for connecting said driven elements selectively to said shaft, clutch mechanism between said shaft and said feed operating members, and actuating mechanism fora portion of said clutch mechanism wholly concentric with said shaft.

67. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism and feeding mechanism including flexible feed-ing means providing a plurality of flexible feeding portions, feed operating members cooperating respectively with said portions, a shaft, a plurality of driven elements on said shaft, a plurality of driving elements adapted to constantly drive said.

driven elements, clutch mechanism for connceting said driven elements selectively to said shaft, actuatin mechanism therefor including an element inside said shaft, and clutch mechanism coaxial with said shaft for connecting said feed operating members to said shaft.

68. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar carried thereby, a motor carried by said frame, feeding mechanism driven by said motor includingfeed operating and take-up membxrs. each rotatable on a transverse axis, a plurality of motor driven worms, means rotated in opposite directions by said worms, and means for frictionally connecting either of said members to either of said worms.

69. In a mining machine comprising a frame having a projecting cutter bar, and having surfaces parallel to the plane of said bar upon either of which said machine may slide whereby kerfs may be cut at different heights, feed operating means on said frame, a flexible feeding member, and guiding means adjacent the front end of said frame for said flexible feeding means including a guide sheave and a mounting therefor permitting bodily pivotal movement of said sheave to positions adjacent each of said surfaces, and means for holding said sheave in each of said positions.

70. In combination with a mining machine and flexible feeding means therefor, guiding means for the latter including a sheave and a mounting therefor pivotable about an axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sheave, said axis being parallel to but spaced substantially from the central transverse plane of said sheave, whereby said sheave may cooperate with said flexible feeding means when the latter is disposed in different positions, and means for locking said guiding means in its different positions.

71. In con'ibination with a mining machine frame, feed operating members at opposite sides of said frame, flexible feeding means cooperating therewith, means for guiding said flexible feeding means in a plurality of horizontal planes at the rear end of said frame, and adjustable guiding means adjacent the front end of said frame having a swinging mounting permitting the same Inn 

